South Korea’s Infinics promises that its golf putter, the DiXX Blu Digital Instructor, will improve your short game thanks to a set of sophisticated sensors that measure your stance and swing.

The Dixx Blu has a small liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that is used to aim. Users adjust their stance and the position of the putter so that a small red dot is centered in crosshairs displayed on the screen. When the user’s stance is correct and the dot is centered, it turns green, signaling that the user is ready to hit the ball.

DiXX Blu Digital

The putter, which goes on sale later this month, was on display this week at the Ceatec exhibition in Chiba, Japan. It will be priced at 98,000 yen (US$832) in Japan.

Using an intertial navigation system that tracks the putter’s position and a micro electromechanical system motion sensor, the Dixx Blu is able to collect detailed information about a golfer’s swing, including the path of the swing, swing speed, impact position and the angle of the putter’s face.

Based on this data, the putter is able to analyze the swing, presenting a detailed report immediately after the golfer swings. This helps players to identify the areas where they need improvement, Infinics said.

Once golfers have perfected their swing with the Dixx Blu, they can swap the putter’s terminal, which includes the display and sensors, for a dummy weight designed to be used on the golf course.

http://www.cio.com/blog_view.html?CID=25482

10/5/2006 4:50:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0] 

The Washington Capitals star, who won the Calder Trophy last year as the NHL's rookie of the year, aced the par-3, 160-yard fourth hole yesterday at the Springfield Golf and Country Club during the team's annual Caps Care charity tournament.

Ovechkin had several chances at the hole as he greeted groups all day long at No. 4 and played a shot with them. But given his lack of golf experience, it was surprising to see the 21-year-old Russian record the hole-in-one.

"This was my first time playing golf," Ovechkin said. "I guess it's easy. Maybe it would be better if I played golf, not hockey. It was lucky, though. I have to play again now, see how I can do."

10/3/2006 4:02:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0] 

If you can't view this video go here

9/29/2006 9:56:27 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0] 

This Ryder Cup mania has gone absolutely crazy!

We were prepared for 300,000 disappearing for a few days and mysteriously turning up on Monday with a slight Irish accent, we were even prepared for a huge upsurge in electricity use during TV breaks and had notified the relevant authorities. But what we weren’t prepared for, what you could of knocked us down with a feather with, was the news that one of our GolfPunk stable would go renegade!!!!!

In the run up to the Ryder Cup we rang around and checked to see how all our GolfPunks against the World were getting on. Ollie Fisher was doing what Ollie Fisher does. Playing golf and winning. Suzann and Jonathan are playing over in the States, which is fair enough. James Heath is plying is trade on the Challenge Tour trying to get onto the big boys tour next year. We phoned the tow Graeme's Storm and McDowell, which went something a bit like this....

GP: "Hi guys, how are you?"

Graemes: "ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!"

GP: "What the hell was that? Where are you??"

Graemes: "Yoooooooouuuuuuuu ddaaaaaaaaaa mmaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!" (Line goes dead)

It turns out that the duo are at the Ryder Cup following Europe and mingling with the fans. So say hi if you see them. Then we went to check on Sam. A certain Mr Torrance. But we got no reply. That's not unusal. Normally he's on duty with the BBC. So we tried again later, but still nothing and the parental instinct in us started to worry. He hadn't called, left no note etc, etc....then we heard that he was definitely at the K Club, so we sent a craic (see what we did there) unit to find him, but they've taken over a pub in Naas called the Ivy and apparently, he isn't there. But they did give us this...

Sam Torrance Blog 

Live commentary A not so serious look at the action as it unfiolds. 

The Atlantic Divide A bit of banter from both sides of the pond. 

It's the Ryder Cup coverage on AOL and if you look closely you'll find a certain moustachioed Scottish fella filling you in on all the juicy gossip behind the scenes at the Ryder Cup. We've been on it all day - checking in to see that he's behaving himself - and we recommend you do the same. And if you see him, tell Sam we know what he's been up to!!!

9/22/2006 7:48:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0] 

• He pulled out of the pre-tournament pro-am with a stiff neck
  
• He was unable to practice before the tournament because of the injury
• He had a whole new set of clubs, which he was testing for the USPGA
• It was the first time he had played the course

8/11/2006 2:42:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0] 

Once, these wayward balls plopped into ponds on courses across the state, and then a scuba diver scooped them up and gave them to David and Steve Blocher.

The father-and-son team gives the balls new life, scraping off the mud and ink to reveal shiny white spheres ready to be launched by another golfer.

In unmarked crates that only they know the names of, they toss Nikes, Callaways, Pro V1's. The beat-up ones will be sold for pennies to be hit far into fields. Unblemished ones, packed into neat sea-green egg crates, will sell for $23.99 a dozen.

In a week's time, the Blochers lay hands on 20,000 balls from 17 courses in the state. Golfers across the country buy them at half price or less at T & D Golf Stores in Tampa and Oldsmar. Some customers pull the Pro V1's right off the delivery truck.

There's even a picture!!!! Link:http://www.sptimes.com/2006/08/10/Hernando/Giving_golf_balls_a_b.shtml

8/10/2006 6:39:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0]